Residents and officials celebrate as the UEP Trust issues deeds to one of four families in Colorado City, Arizona, on Oct. 12, 2018. Hundreds, if not a thousand, property deeds still need to be signed over to their proper owners.(Photo: Chris Caldwell / The Spectrum & Daily News)Buy Photo

Several residents in Colorado City, Arizona, were honored during a historic event in which the United Effort Plan Trust distributed deeds to their rightful owners for the first time ever.

Four families were celebrated Friday as members of the community filled the Mohave Community College auditorium to witness the official signing of documents that declared them homeowners and property owners — even though they have lived on the land for decades.

"There is nothing more influential than owning their own homes," said Charles Hammon, a real-estate agent who has worked as a consultant for the UEP Trust and Arizona Department of Real Estate to help expedite the process. "People will be able to establish themselves. ... It'll be a new leaf in this town's history that's never happened before."

Hundreds — if not closer to a thousand — homes and properties owned by the UEP Trust are still in limbo, waiting to be signed over to their proper owners, Hammon said.

Trust changes hands

The UEP Trust was established by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1942. Church leaders crafted it in the spirit of a "united order" as a plan for members to share its assets. The UEP Trust owns most of the homes and properties in the sister cities of Short Creek: Colorado City and Hildale, Utah.

The state of Utah seized control of the $110 million trust in 2005, and it was reformed in 2006 by Utah's 3rd District Court after concerns arose regarding mismanagement by the FLDS Church — including former leader/prophet Warren Jeffs. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison for child sex abuse.

"There has been a lot of hurt and division in this town," Hammon said. "For the folks who have lived here for years and given their lives to this community, to take ownership of their property for the first time is a new kind of energy we've seen."

Hammon briefly introduced the individuals who received their deeds, all of whom have lived on their properties for decades and worked to build their homes as early as their teenage years.

A 'new beginning'

"The possibilities in Colorado City now that you'll be able to own your own property is just overwhelming," Watson said. "It was quite a learning process for Mohave County."

Both Watson and Arizona state Rep. Regina Cobb described the complicated process and collaboration it took to bring the unprecedented event to a head.

For Cobb, she said homeownership — especially in this context — is "too understated."

"We went to the (Arizona Department of Real Estate) the other day, and we said, 'You don't realize how monumental this is,' " Cobb said. "Having a piece of property underneath your feet and having it as yours gives you a destiny. It gives you a purpose for your world and who you're going to leave that part of you to when your days end."

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Colorado City, Arizona, residents gather to watch representatives from the UEP Trust meet deeds to four families on Oct. 12, 2018. This is the first time the residents are officially homeowners.(Photo: Chris Caldwell / The Spectrum & Daily News)

Cobb later declared the event as "her proudest moment."

"This is the first time people will ever be able to own their own homes in Colorado City," Hammon said. "It's hard to be more historic than that."

Watson said he envisions Colorado City soon becoming a hub for myriad interests.

"There's an opportunity for a lot of tourism and a lot of other activities that have been encouraged," Watson said.

"I believe it's going to be a resurgence of positive energy that will bring homebuilding, new business and growth opportunities," Hammon added. "I think in the very short term, you will see a new Colorado City."